[Updated with video] Local hotelier David Dodwell has been appointed Chairman Designate of the Tourism Authority which the Government aspires to have established within the next six months, Minister of Tourism & Transport Shawn Crockwell said today [Jan 2].

Minister Crockwell said: “Mr. Dodwell has been tasked with leading the formation of and creating the structure for the new Authority that will fulfill one of our election promises – to move Tourism out of the political realm.

“The priority of the Authority will be to maintain continuity and to ensure that political interference is removed so that we can achieve the best outcome for the revival of Bermuda’s Tourism industry.”

Minister Crockwell continued: “Concerning the Authority – and the mandate of Mr. Dodwell – he has been charged with establishing the new Authority forthwith.

“We have set an aggressive timeline of six months to have the new Authority up and running and working to fulfill its mandate – namely the revival of Bermuda’s Tourism industry.

“The establishment of the Authority and revitalization of Tourism is, of course, all about stimulating the economy, creating a welcoming environment for hospitality investment, all of which is ultimately about creating jobs for Bermudians.

“We are determined to get this right. Mr. Dodwell and the board will be carrying out their due diligence and examining Tourism Authorities from around the world to ensure Bermuda’s Authority is one in which we can all be proud,” said Minister Crockwell.

Mr Dodwell is a hotel industry veteran and owner of The Reefs in Bermuda and Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis, and has more than four decades of experience in the hospitality sector. A graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Mr Dodwell was named the 2010 Caribbean Hotelier of the Year.

Minister Crockwell’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon and thank you for coming.

I am pleased to be joined this afternoon by well known local hotelier Mr. David Dodwell.

I am also pleased to announce that Mr. Dodwell has been appointed the Chairman of the Tourism Board and the Chairman Designate of the new Tourism Authority for Bermuda which we aspire to have established within the next 6 months.

Mr. Dodwell has been tasked with leading the formation of and creating the structure for the new Authority that will fulfill one of our election promises – to move Tourism out of the political realm.

Before discussing details of the Authority, I will say a few words about existing staff at the Bermuda Department of Tourism – or BDOT.

The priority of the Authority will be to maintain continuity and to ensure that political interference is removed so that we can achieve the best outcome for the revival of Bermuda’s Tourism industry.

The success of the Authority is directly dependent on engaging and empowering the Bermuda Department of Tourism staff so they can perform to the best of their abilities in carrying out the mandate of the Authority.

Central to this is consultation with the Bermuda Public Services Union to discuss any concerns they may have in relation to their members.

Concerning the Authority – and the mandate of Mr. Dodwell – he has been charged with establishing the new Authority forthwith.

We have set an aggressive timeline of six months to have the new Authority up and running and working to fulfill its mandate – namely the revival of Bermuda’s Tourism industry.

We are currently working within the existing Tourism Board Act passed in 2012 – and determining if we can modify the existing Act or repeal it and create a new Act for the Authority.

Three committees have been identified that will carry out the mandate of the Act and the priorities of the Plan: Product Development, Sales & Marketing and Tourism Appreciation.

I will be meeting with Mr. Dodwell and the existing Board members on Monday (7 January 2013) where we will outline our vision for the Authority and a strategy for the way forward.

We intend to aggressively move forward with the Tourism Plan launched in 2012. Indeed, the plan calls for the creation of a Tourism Authority.

The establishment of the Authority and revitalization of Tourism is, of course, all about stimulating the economy, creating a welcoming environment for hospitality investment, all of which is ultimately about creating jobs for Bermudians.

We are determined to get this right. Mr. Dodwell and the board will be carrying out their due diligence and examining Tourism Authorities from around the world to ensure Bermuda’s Authority is one in which we can all be proud.

Wrong. Even Wayne Furbert said (on a facebook page when he was a plp minister) that Dodwell was one of the most qualified people in the tourism industry. Stop with the ‘helping their friends’ theory because it just sounds dumb now

Sorry to say this Mr. Dodwell but Crockwell is just passing the blame on to you when it fails in 24 months. We Bermudians are going to blame someone. You were the Minister there before and Tourism was failing under your watch. The only thing that saved Bermuda was International Business placing their landmarks here. Until you can bring the rates down from $300 – $400 a night for a room, down to $150 or less we all are in DEEP sheeeet.

I agree so much in regards to lowering cost. Even if and when economy recovers, Bermuda is still not value for money. Bermuda needs tweaks here and there and proper price of non in demand servies is one big area. Tourism related industries need to drop prices by 20% across the board in order to jump start the industry. If your product IS NOT in demand, you can’t charge top dollar for it. And I think its about high time that businesses stop ignoring the basics of supply and demand and work WITH the people they are asking to spend their hard earned dollars. I’m not quite sure most businesses appreciate how valuable that truly is. Think about it.

The OBA do not have legislative authority at this stage to establish a Tourism authority. They are racing. Where is the bill that establishes the structure , job description and pay?????? 2. They wanted to cut Ministers salaries but have 13 Ministers and really don’t need one without a portfolio. Not a good honest start.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t these Ministers drawing full time salaries? I know of at least two Ministers who still have their old days jobs. Are they collecting full time salaries, and if so when do they plan to resign?

All Ministers took a 10 percent pay cut immediately. In addition, it is my understanding that only four Ministers will be full time and drawing full time salaries. The savings from both will be in the neighborhood of $500,000 per year.

Congratulations OBA and Mr. Dodwell! And the promise-keeping proceeds apace! No matter what comments the nay-sayers may make, and I know they will be crawling out of the woodwork any minute, the efforts to turn this country and its economy around are being made.

Everyone forgets!!!! When David Dodwells Reefs won an award from Travel and Leisure’s Best Award, posters above and below cited that it was a fluke and that it was another PLP concocked scheme. They implied he was in bed with PLP and that he was on their payrol and such. Now he is elected by the OBA and these same posters are saying this is a great move for Bermuda………………..not sure I get it, but they seem to be very contradictory. David was also appointed to the same board last year by the PLP, where was all the congradulations and criticism then???

ANother OBA promise was that this Tourism board will be funded by the Hospitality Industry. Well, is that promise true or not? They also said the Govenor would appoint this position, well did he or was David appointed by the OBA? Just wanna know what promises are being kept and which ones are being broken.

Than there will be no need for a Minister of Tourism to ensure that political interference doesn’t occur . Saving Bermudians money one Minister at a time . Brilliant ! Shall we move on ? Oh , who will be paying for this Authority ?

That is the 30 million dollar question. Who is going to pay for this independent authority? Will It be private sector or public funds? Please do not say public, because that would be a direct handout to the industry, including dodwell. If privately funded, then fine, I can support that.

I am a bit confused. If this “tourism authority” is appointed by the Minister of Tourism, then it is a political appointment, and therefore is not totally independent. Correct?

Also how will the formation of the Tourism Authority impact the Department of Tourism and the staff there?

I am asking these questions because the media doesn’t ask the hard questions of the OBA. I mean, they were elected without the leader having to even answer 1 question in the last 2 weeks of the campaign…

I really hope that we will look at all of the various target markets… including looking for tourist families. This will introduce a number of different ages to the Bermuda product at the same time, hopefully increasing return visits for many years to come. Plus family events can be developed that are wholesome and would be attractive to Bermuda families as well.

We don;t have an on island product because we don’t have many entrepreneurs. so it won’t make a difference. You get here and do what? Oh….listen to the people complain on radio talk shows. at the end of the day he will conclude we simply do not offer service from our taxi drivers to the front desk. Lord even our ferries. It is not there.

It is great to see David Dodwell back on the public scene. Unfortunately he was not remembered for initiating the fast ferries which were well underway in the planning stage when the PLP took over in 1998.

The fast ferry project was started by him with the fast ferry committee working months before Dr. Brown became transport minister.

The operative word is FORMER. The man is not in elected office, and instead of being so negative about it, be thankful that this is a man of experience who happens to be making money working in the Tourism sector. It can only help. Could have been far worse, the could have roped in Bazarian.

Lavern you are so one sided, the P.L.P. appointed a former leader of the U.B.P. to be their tourism minister !!!!!!!!come on lady enough is enough of your BS. David Dodwell is the best choice for this position.

What a brilliant observation from Webster. It appears from Laverne that it was perfectly okay in her view for the PLP to appoint a former UBP Leader as Minister of Tourism, but it’s not okay for the OBA to appoint a former Minister of Tourism under the UBP, and one of the most, if not the most experienced Bermudian hotelier as Chairman of the Tourism Authority.

Let’s just think about it for a moment. Who do you want trying to inject some life into our tourism industry? A former PLP Minister with literally no experience in tourism or a man who has spent his entire adult life working in the hotel industry who will NOT be receiving a Minister’s salary.

I know which one gets my vote. What we really need now if for everyone in the community to get behind the Tourism Authority but just watch the political rhetoric get in the way.

Typical Webster…Not surprising the PLP followers on here with their comments. Well OBA, time to roll your sleeves up and get to work. Oh, you can forget thinking you will be given a little slack trying to repair the sustainable damage that has been created to Bermuda over the last decade. As a non party follower and a person who only wants what is best for Bermuda be it black, white, UBP, PLP, OBA, BDA or CIA; I want to ask this question (not directly to the PLP followers). If a person is, or was part of a previous party that is no longer around or in power; does that mean that individual should not be part of any board created to assist Bermuda? This is the opinion I am getting from PLP supporters on the back ground of Mr. Dodwell. If this be the case, than fight fair; I want a list of every PLP politician or member over the last decade. Take that list, and run every name on it to ensure none are ever involved in Government or any Government run boards in Bermuda “EVER AGAIN”. Sounds stupid to you yet? OK, there you go; happy? Let’s start rebuilding Bermuda now with all the new amateur rookies that don’t know sh!t (sound familiar). Furthermore; let’s give power back to the PLP as this appears to be their supporter’s suggestion; and see how they can hammer the last nails into the destruction of Bermuda. SMDH!!!!!

That tourism authority will have 0 impact on Bermuda. Tourist won’t magically flock here because the overrated OBA put together a tourism authority. Bermuda needs to evolve and until then we will have the same low tourist figures.

To all saying that all they are doing is bringing old faces back – David Dodwell is likely the most qualified person on the island for such a position. It is absolutely the right thing to do. The biggest change is that the authority not the minister will have say on where the tourism budget is spent. A far far departure from the past under any government. Bravo OBA!

I will say congratulations are in order to both Mr.Crockwell and Mr. Dodwell,although some may disagree with this appointment, it is a form of action taking place whether or not this strategy proves to be one to take Tourism forward, only time will tell.

Under the condition of transparency there are a few questions I am asking. I do believe that the appointed Tourism Minister will be traveling.If he needs to enter the USA ,is he on the so called stop list? Will he require a wavier like so many others? If so,which I can only imagine he will, will he his contacts and/or colleagues be willing to help others who are on the stop list,with a less serious crime than The Minister has on his record, and are deemed suitable for travel but have not been issued a waiver for whatever reason?

Bermuda is only place where people are crticisised for their knowledge. Yes, I have a lot of knowledge, especially when it comes to politics. I’ve lived longer than you, I read more than you and I’ve been involved in politics longer than you. You got a problem with that?

Webster, I want a job like yours where I can listen to every talk show.

Incredible we are 3 weeks in to a new government and the plp supporters are as expected will do no more than object to anything put forward. lets go to 1998 and look at tourism figures and lets look at them today.14 years of a disgraced effort at tourism from the plp, lets bring in people that have an interest in tourism and have had their hands in tourism and maybe, just maybe we may begin to create a stragedy to move us forward …notice i said forward …..still doubt the thought process go back to 1998 and look at those numbers they weren’t good but they sure were better than they are today…..simple facts keep it simple …

Funny that Mr Dodwell is on the OBA Tourism Authority when his property the Reefs was a major beneficiary of the Hotel Concessions that allowed its expansion and renovation. Guess it goes to show that even when u benefit from a PLP government some will work against them.

Can “haha” please explain in detail just how the appointment of David Dodwell to head a new Tourism Authority means that he is “working against” the former PLP Government. This is the kind of twisted logic that was all too prevalent in the PLP Government. The PLP could so easily have called on David Dodwell to work with them on reviving tourism. Did they do so? Was he asked to be a member of the Tourism Board. Or did they decide that no-one with any connection to any previous Government, and especially the UBP would be allowed to sit at the table to discuss the future of tourim while they were in office.

Would it ever occur to “haha” that as Chairman of the newly created Tourism Authority, David Dodwell will be doing his best to work for the betterment of all of us, including the PLP.

Crockwell better sell some of the drugs he stole from the court and place it in the package deals so people will come to Bermuda. I just returned from Vegas payed $90 a night for a room, place was packed.

Know matter who the OBA looks for guidance you nay sayers will have something to say. At least Mr. Dodwell is succesfull in his business unlike our last tourisim minister who couldn’t get his coffee business or his restaurant off and running. Glad they didn’t give the job to Mr Furbert. I remember the days sitting in his restaurant and listening to him run the PLP down!!! Look where he is today!!!!LMAO

wow, I like the idea already. It is like a breath of fresh air! When I was in the industry, it was about high quality of service and product availability. Guarenty weather days, any day under 65 degrees there is a rebate of 25%. If it rains more then 50% of the day, rebate of 25% on the winter months. Keep soom of the advertising funds and reinvest in subsidizing the entertainment. Money stays in Bermuda and enterainment will be more affordable in the establishment. We need the follies back, a Jimmy Keys type of entertainer back subsidized by the government to be affordable to the establishments during slow season.

What i would like to know is how can you have a Tourism Authority that is supposed to be trying to boost tourism in Bermuda but yet won’t be up and running for another 6 months? So who is paying the member of this Tourism Authority right now and until they get up an running? Also what i would like to know is how can you have a Tourism Minister that can’t travel or has he got his waiver so he can represent Bermuda at all the various overseas venues where he will be wearing the badge of Bermuda and the Bermudian people?

Further to that, I don’t know why some in the PLP are just so angry all the time and why they are so lop-sided in their judgements. They believe that if it’s not a PLP govt or a PLP member or a PLP policy, it’s rubbish.

Some of these PLP folks are so emotionally distraught that they are in need in some serious counselling. Certainly there are some bad apples in the OBA fan base, but jesus PLP….weren’t you the change that BDA was meant to have received in 1998?

Why is Mr. Dodwell the man for the job? Is his hotel doing more business than any other hotel in Bermuda? I think not! If it walks like a duck……! It seems that a lot of you have pre 1998 amnesia! The PLP inherited debt as well and more than likely will again. That’s the way it is!

A huge issue is getting rid of Griffins and Kerwin – EFB cronies and there for only one reason. I do hope Dodwell investigates where the money went after it left Global Hue, though of course getting tourism back on track is the bigger issue.

I have the outmost respect for David Dodwell. David has always put Bermuda and Bermudians first. When times were rough at the Reefs, staff were placed in other areas of the hotel so that they could maintain their employment. Many of my friends have commented regarding the caring nature and honesty of David. People stop nit picking and allow him to take a stab at revitalizing Tourism, what do we stand to lose after 9 years of nothing. Keep up the good work David, you are a true Bermudian soldier.

So many people appear so desperate that they are willing to accept anything that is offered by the OBA without analysing what is at stake. To date there has been no detailed plan on the new Tourism Authority including what it will cost or how it will differ from the former Board. Unlike the Board where people serve on a mostly Volunteer basis, an independent Authority will cost money for salaries. How is spending more better?

How so many of you can blindly support the creation of this authority with no firm details of its structure, exactly how it will operate and the costs involved is perplexing. To be fair, the manner in which it was rushed into existence would have a few months ago been harshly criticized by the very same people that are on here singing its praises. Similarly I don’t doubt Mr. Dodwell’s vast experience but without a doubt, this also would have been characterized as a “friends and family” appointment if the other side was still in power.

Wrong. It’s been accepted for a long time that we needed an apolitical Tourism Authority with industry professionals. Only the numbskulls in the PLP didn’t see that. Even the singing baffoon changed his mind on that one.

So not rushed into place, always been on the table as something the OBA would do AND wanted by thse working in the tourism industry.

Being “on the table” as you’ve put it and having a plan for its operations are entirely different. Rather than resorting to calling out “the Baffoons and numbskulls” how about you address the main issue at hand. As I’ve also stated, the “friends and family” criticism from years past is conspicuously absent.

Didn’t the current board have hoteliers on the board already? I believe they are undustry professionals. However, lets see what Mr. Dodwell can do. He does run one of the most consistant hotels on the island.

And your wrong as well. This authority was already in place and created by the PLP. The curious part is this: The OBA promised that when they regain control the head of this authority would be appointed by the Govenor and that the payroll for this authority would be funded by the Hospitality industry. I hope they stick to their word, cause if they do not and cite ole Doc Browns words having to deceive you, I see the UBP and PLP ways slithering right back in.

You can have a affluent tourist that does not mind spending $300 a night on a hotel room. Which compared to most high end destinations in the world is not abnormal. Bermuda is a beautiful and relatively safe tourism destination a stones throw away from major east coast cities. What is not in place is the entertainment and sevice side of the product, the service quality and the facilities that high end tourists want. Small on-sight Casino’s through out the high end Caribbean destinations are a success for resorts. Tourism in boutique style hotel resorts would bring alot of money to Taxi drivers, retailers, night life, restaurants and tax $$ on hotel beds.

What the PLP did was focus on the cheap and cheerful, low spending tourists on a cruise who spend an average of $130 within the WEDCO run dockyard. Where local business pays tax to the government, a heavy tax at that. But the real catch is the political spin associated with the window dressing of figures. Not only could the public purse be pilfered and contracts executed for the expansion of kings Warf. The mega ships would show and increase in arrivals!! Just because more people arrive, it does not mean more money for the Island. 1 tourist that spends $2k + on a vacation is equal to 15 cruise passengers who buy a T-shirt and an ice cream.

High end, boutique style tourism will stimulate the construction market, the retail sector, the night life and entertainment sector and provide jobs for Bermudians within Hotels. Not only that, it compliments the International business sector by providing up market facilities and accommodation for visitors. In other words, both pillars of the economy mesh.

Dodwell knows this and that is why we need an independent authority, so the goal is not to politicize statistics like the PLP did.

The concept of a tourism authority is nothing new. It was suggested near 20 years ago in the Monitor Report which followed the Competitiveness Commission, which is over 20 years old.

Both were created at no small expense & with the input of many thousands of unpaid hours by hundreds of people only to be shoved on a dusty shelf somewhere by the UBP.

The PLP did not avail themselves of the valuable information either. They thought that THEY had all the answers & were going to turn tourism around in 100 days. 14 years later, look where their knowledge got us.

It is great to see the OBA pick up the tourism authority concept & run with it. Don’t expect any improvement in 2013 1stQ or 2ndQ but by 3rdQ some results should show.

You can have a affluent tourist that does not mind spending $300 a night on a hotel room. Which compared to most high end destinations in the world is not abnormal. Bermuda is a beautiful and relatively safe tourism destination a stones throw away from major east coast cities. What is not in place is the entertainment and sevice side of the product, the service quality and the facilities that high end tourists want. Small on-sight Casino’s through out the high end Caribbean destinations are a success for resorts. Tourism in boutique style hotel resorts would bring alot of money to Taxi drivers, retailers, night life, restaurants and tax $$ on hotel beds.

What the PLP did was focus on the cheap and cheerful, low spending tourists on a cruise who spend an average of $130 within the WEDCO run dockyard. Where local business pays tax to the government, a heavy tax at that. But the real catch is the political spin associated with the window dressing of figures. Not only could the public purse be pilfered and contracts executed for the expansion of kings Warf. The mega ships would show and increase in arrivals!! Just because more people arrive, it does not mean more money for the Island. 1 tourist that spends $2k + on a vacation is equal to 15 cruise passengers who buy a T-shirt and an ice cream.

High end, boutique style tourism will stimulate the construction market, the retail sector, the night life and entertainment sector and provide jobs for Bermudians within Hotels. Not only that, it compliments the International business sector by providing up market facilities and accommodation for visitors. In other words, both pillars of the economy mesh.

Dodwell knows this and that is why we need an independent authority, so the goal is not to politicize statistics like the PLP did